Python OpenCV | cv2.imread () method

OpenCV-Python — is a Python bindings library for solving computer vision problems. 
cv2.imread () loads an image from the specified file. If the image cannot be read (due to a missing file, incorrect permissions, unsupported or incorrect format) then this method returns an empty matrix.

Syntax: cv2. imread (path, flag)

Parameters:
path: A string representing the path of the image to be read.
flag: It specifies the way in which image should be read. It’s default value is cv2.IMREAD_COLOR

Return Value: This method returns an image that is loaded from the specified file.

Note . The image must be in the working directory or the full path to the image must be specified.

All three types of flags are described below:

cv2.IMREAD_COLOR: It specifies to load a color image. Any transparency of image will be neglected. It is the default flag. Alternatively, we can pass integer value 1 for this flag.
cv2.IMREAD_GRAYSCALE: It specifies to load an image in grayscale mode. Alternatively, we can pass integer value 0 for this flag.
cv2.IMREAD_UNCHANGED: It specifies to load an image as such including alpha channel. Alternatively, we can pass integer value -1 for this flag.

Image is used for all examples below:

Example # 1: Using the default flag

# Python program to explain the cv2.imread () method   # cv2 import import cv2   # path path = r ’ C: UsersRajnishDesktoppythonengineering.png’   # Using the cv2.imread () method img = cv2.imread (path)   # Display images cv2.imshow ( ’image’ , img)

Output:

Example # 2:
Loading an image in grayscale

# Python program to explain the cv2.imread () method   # cv2 import import cv2   # path path = r ’C: UsersRajnishDesktoppythonengineering.png ’    # Using the cv2.imread () method # Using 0 to read the image in grayscale img = cv2.imread (path, 0 )   # Display image cv2.imshow ( ’image’ , img)

Output: